Quinn Mathews’s baseball journey took a dramatic leap forward in 2024, transforming him from a relatively unknown prospect into a potential major league starter. His remarkable 202 strikeouts across the minor leagues led all pitchers, a feat rarely accomplished in recent years. This achievement underscored his “swing-and-miss” ability, a highly valued trait in contemporary baseball. Starting the year in Low-A Palm Beach and progressing rapidly through High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield, Mathews dominated hitters with an impressive 2.27 ERA and 180 strikeouts over 126.2 innings. While his brief stint at Triple-A Memphis resulted in a less impressive performance, it served as a valuable learning experience and motivated him for further development. His overall performance garnered significant recognition, including being named Baseball America’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year and MLB.com’s top pitching prospect.
Mathews acknowledged that the challenging final stretch of the 2024 season at Triple-A Memphis exposed areas needing improvement. He attributed the drop in effectiveness to fatigue and a corresponding increase in his walk rate. This realization fueled his offseason training regimen, focusing on building endurance to sustain peak performance throughout a longer season. Recognizing that his impressive 2024 performance wasn’t entirely indicative of his current capabilities, Mathews dedicated himself to enhancing his stamina to withstand the rigors of a full professional season, aiming to add “seven or eight more weeks” of competitive play to his physical capacity. This commitment to improvement reflects his determination to solidify his place among baseball’s elite.
The foundation for Mathews’s 2024 breakout season was laid during the preceding offseason. He implemented a comprehensive approach to enhance his physical condition, including improved nutrition and rigorous training. These efforts translated to a significant increase in his fastball velocity, adding approximately three miles per hour. This jump in speed enhanced the effectiveness of his off-speed pitches, making his changeup and breaking balls even more deceptive. The increased velocity not only made his fastball more formidable but also created a larger speed differential with his off-speed pitches, enhancing their deception and effectiveness.
Mathews’s arsenal features a four-pitch mix. He relies primarily on a fastball that sits around 94 mph, using it over 50% of the time. While velocity is a valuable asset, Mathews understands that it’s not the sole determinant of success. He acknowledges the importance of movement and command, recognizing that these factors are equally crucial for achieving sustained effectiveness. His arsenal is complemented by an 81-mph changeup, which is his primary strikeout pitch, an 85-mph slider, and a less frequently used 77-mph curveball. Scouts admire not only his fastball velocity but also its movement, along with the sinking action of his changeup and the sharp break of his slider. These characteristics create a challenging combination for hitters to contend with.
Mathews’s mental toughness and stamina were showcased during a memorable college game against Texas in the 2023 NCAA Super Regional. In a high-stakes elimination game, he threw a remarkable 156 pitches, striking out 16 batters and leading Stanford to an 8-3 victory. This performance demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure and maintain effectiveness deep into games. His collegiate career at Stanford culminated with a 25-10 overall record, highlighted by a 10-4 mark in his senior year. The St. Louis Cardinals recognized his potential, selecting him in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft and securing his services with a $600,000 signing bonus. Recognizing the heavy workload he carried at Stanford, the Cardinals wisely opted to shut him down for the remainder of the 2023 season, prioritizing his long-term development.
Historically, the 122nd pick in the MLB draft has produced a limited number of major leaguers. However, two notable exceptions are current star pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Shane Bieber. Within the Cardinals organization, fourth-round picks have yielded varying degrees of success, with the most prominent example being Yadier Molina, a future Hall of Fame candidate. These examples illustrate that while draft position offers a general indication of potential, individual development and performance ultimately determine a player’s trajectory. While history provides context, Mathews’s future success will depend on his own abilities and dedication.
Beyond baseball, Mathews possesses a unique perspective and a range of interests. He confessed to having aspirations of becoming an investment banker during his childhood, a stark contrast to the typical childhood dream of professional sports. This unusual ambition highlights his intellectual curiosity and pragmatic nature. He maintains a keen interest in finance, closely following cryptocurrency trends. This intellectual curiosity extends beyond the realm of sports, painting a picture of a well-rounded individual with diverse interests. Even with his newfound wealth, grounded by his mother’s sensible advice, he has refrained from making risky investments in the volatile cryptocurrency market.
As Spring Training approaches, Mathews will have an opportunity to showcase his progress and compete for a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation. While a dominant spring performance could propel him directly to the majors, a more likely scenario is a return to Triple-A Memphis for further seasoning. This would allow him to refine his skills and continue building the stamina necessary for a successful major league career. The Cardinals’ current projected rotation includes veteran pitchers like Sonny Gray, Erick Fedde, Miles Mikolas, and Andre Pallante, along with Steven Matz, Drew Rom, and Mike McGreevy vying for the final spot. This creates a competitive environment where Mathews will need to demonstrate consistent improvement and prove his readiness to contribute at the highest level. A strong showing early in the season could accelerate his ascent to the major leagues.
